switch panel controlling heated seats,hazard lights not working

[mb320]

Hello all,
I have an e320 (2002) with a problem concerning the switch panel that has the seat heater, hazard warning light and access to the cd player on it. A couple of weeks ago all the lights on the panel started flashing then went dead. half an hour later it came back on and functioned normally. Two days ago the left hand seat switch came on when starting the car but the whole panel is non operational except for this switch light staying on.
Does anyone have any idea what is causing this problem?
Thanks in advance

 

[WG M-B]

Star is needed to see if communicastion can be established with the control unit